Release CalendarTop 250 MoviesMost Popular MoviesBrowse Movies by GenreTop Box OfficeShowtimes & TicketsMovie NewsIndia Movie Spotlight
    What's on TV & StreamingTop 250 TV ShowsMost Popular TV ShowsBrowse TV Shows by GenreTV News
    What to WatchLatest TrailersIMDb OriginalsIMDb PicksIMDb Podcasts
    OscarsABFFPride MonthOutfest OutfrontsSTARmeter AwardsAwards CentralFestival CentralAll Events
    Born TodayMost Popular CelebsMost Popular CelebsCelebrity News
    Help CenterContributor ZonePolls
For Industry Professionals
  • All
  • Titles
  • TV Episodes
  • Celebs
  • Companies
  • Keywords
  • Advanced Search
Watchlist
Sign In
Sign In
New Customer? Create account
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
IMDbPro

Boy A

  • 2007
  • R
  • 2h 5m
IMDb RATING
7.6/10
38K
YOUR RATING
Andrew Garfield in Boy A (2007)
This is the theatrical trailer for Boy A, directed by John Crowley.
Play trailer2:01
1 Video
14 Photos
Drama

The story of a young Jack, newly released from serving a prison sentence for a violent crime he committed as a child.The story of a young Jack, newly released from serving a prison sentence for a violent crime he committed as a child.The story of a young Jack, newly released from serving a prison sentence for a violent crime he committed as a child.

  • Director
    • John Crowley
  • Writers
    • Mark O'Rowe
    • Jonathan Trigell
  • Stars
    • Andrew Garfield
    • Peter Mullan
    • Shaun Evans
  • See production, box office & company info
  • IMDb RATING
    7.6/10
    38K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • John Crowley
    • Writers
      • Mark O'Rowe
      • Jonathan Trigell
    • Stars
      • Andrew Garfield
      • Peter Mullan
      • Shaun Evans
    • 92User reviews
    • 97Critic reviews
    • 75Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Won 4 BAFTA Awards
      • 13 wins & 11 nominations total

    Videos1

    Boy A: Theatrical Trailer
    Trailer 2:01
    Watch Boy A: Theatrical Trailer

    Photos14

    Andrew Garfield in Boy A (2007)
    Andrew Garfield in Boy A (2007)
    Andrew Garfield in Boy A (2007)
    Andrew Garfield in Boy A (2007)
    Peter Mullan and Andrew Garfield in Boy A (2007)
    Katie Lyons in Boy A (2007)
    Katie Lyons and Andrew Garfield in Boy A (2007)
    Katie Lyons, Peter Mullan, and Andrew Garfield in Boy A (2007)
    Andrew Garfield in Boy A (2007)
    Andrew Garfield in Boy A (2007)
    Andrew Garfield in Boy A (2007)
    Andrew Garfield in Boy A (2007)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Andrew Garfield
    Andrew Garfield
    • Jack Burridge
    Peter Mullan
    Peter Mullan
    • Terry
    Shaun Evans
    Shaun Evans
    • Chris
    Siobhan Finneran
    Siobhan Finneran
    • Kelly
    Alfie Owen
    • Eric Wilson
    Victoria Brazier
    • Teacher
    Skye Bennett
    Skye Bennett
    • Angela
    Madeleine Rakic-Platt
    • Schoolgirl
    Josef Altin
    Josef Altin
    • Bully
    Dudley Brewis
    • 2nd Bully
    Leigh Symonds
    • Eric's Dad
    Maria Gough
    • Eric's Mum
    Taylor Doherty
    • Philip Craig
    Jeremy Swift
    Jeremy Swift
    • Dave
    Carlene Hanson
    • Waitress
    Katie Lyons
    Katie Lyons
    • Michelle
    James Young
    • Zeb
    Anthony Lewis
    Anthony Lewis
    • Steve
    • Director
      • John Crowley
    • Writers
      • Mark O'Rowe
      • Jonathan Trigell
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    More like this

    99 Homes
    7.1
    99 Homes
    Air
    6.3
    Air
    Never Let Me Go
    7.1
    Never Let Me Go
    I'm Here
    7.7
    I'm Here
    Mainstream
    5.0
    Mainstream
    Breathe
    7.1
    Breathe
    Angels in America: Part I - Millennium Approaches
    8.9
    Angels in America: Part I - Millennium Approaches
    National Theatre Live: Angels in America Part Two: Perestroika
    9.0
    National Theatre Live: Angels in America Part Two: Perestroika
    Mumbo Jumbo
    6.4
    Mumbo Jumbo
    Silence
    7.1
    Silence
    Under the Silver Lake
    6.5
    Under the Silver Lake
    Is Anybody There?
    6.6
    Is Anybody There?

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Despite being based on a novel by British writer Jonathan Trigell, many point out that this film is inspired by the real-life murder of James Bulger, which shocked the entire UK and the rest of the world.
    • Quotes

      Jack Burridge: Jack.

      Terry: What?

      Jack Burridge: That's the name I want.

      Terry: [slowly] Okay...

      Jack Burridge: Jack.

      Terry: Well, that's the first thing taken care of.

    • Connections
      Featured in Screenwipe: Review of the Year 2007 (2007)
    • Soundtracks
      With Every Heartbeat
      Performed by Robyn Carlsson (as Robyn) featuring Andreas Kleerup (as Kleerup)

    User reviews92

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    9/10
    A master class in the art of film-making
    Few films wowed audiences at the 2008 Tribeca Film Festival as much as John Crowley's "Boy A." Scipted by Mark O'Rowe from a Jonathan Trigell novel, "Boy A" is a story-driven mystery which is carried on the shoulders of newcomer Andrew Garfield, in a tour de force performance that dominates the film from opening title to closing credits.

    Jack Burridge is leaving prison after a 14-year sentence for a crime he committed as a child. His mentor Terry has been working to gain his release and help him transition into the new world in which he'll live and work under a new identity. It's up to Jack to determine who he wants to be, but it's up to those around him to determine whether or not he will be allowed to do so. It's that challenge which is at the heart of "Boy A." Andrew Garfield ("Doctor Who," "Lions for Lambs") is frighteningly brilliant as Jack. It's his movie to make or break, and this role is sure to be singled out as the launching pad for what is destined to be a notable career. The viewer sees a sweet, sensitive, puppy dog of a young man while his secret past indicates something completely different. We wrestle with that concept as he does himself, and it's an emotional, moving piece of work. As his counselor Terry, Peter Mullan ("Trainspotting," "Children of Men") is the father figure who provides a foundation for Terry's wandering existence. His attempts to keep Jack alive and well are both heartening and heartbreaking.

    "Boy A" is visually stunning. The interplay of light and shadow through the use of diffusion filters and silhouette gave me chills. The dramatic manipulation of white light is a seemingly simple device but cuts to the bone. Cinematographer Rob Hardy demonstrates true artistry with camera-work that is often a character in itself. A recurring visual theme using tunnels, alleyways, hallways, and bridges stands out even to the untrained eye. Paddy Cunneen's score makes it clear that this is, at its heart, a tale of intrigue.

    Told in flashback, the secrets of "Boy A" are revealed in bits and pieces. The reality of who Jack is becomes more powerful and painful as the film progresses. Garfield is so charismatic, and his Jack so incredibly sympathetic, that this film easily rises to the top of those screened at this year's festival. John Crowley's "Boy A" is a master class in the art of film-making.
    helpful•222
    31
    • larry-411
    • May 6, 2008

    Top picks

    Sign in to rate and Watchlist for personalized recommendations
    Sign in

    FAQ4

    • Is "Boy A" based on a book?
    • Why the title "Boy A"?
    • Is "Boy A" based on a true story?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • September 4, 2008 (Singapore)
    • Country of origin
      • United Kingdom
    • Official sites
      • Official site
      • Official site (Japan)
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • İsimsiz Çocuk
    • Filming locations
      • Manchester, Greater Manchester, England, UK
    • Production companies
      • The Weinstein Company
      • Film4
      • Cuba Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $113,662
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $13,024
      • Jul 27, 2008
    • Gross worldwide
      • $1,202,375
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours 5 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

    Related news

    Contribute to this page

    Suggest an edit or add missing content
    Andrew Garfield in Boy A (2007)
    Top Gap
    By what name was Boy A (2007) officially released in Canada in English?
    Answer
    • See more gaps
    • Learn more about contributing
    Edit page

    More to explore

    Recently viewed

    Please enable browser cookies to use this feature. Learn more.
    Get the IMDb App
    Sign in for more accessSign in for more access
    • Get the IMDb App
    • Help
    • Site Index
    • IMDbPro
    • Box Office Mojo
    • IMDb Developer
    • Press Room
    • Advertising
    • Jobs
    • Conditions of Use
    • Privacy Policy
    • Your Ads Privacy Choices
    IMDb, an Amazon company

    © 1990-2023 by IMDb.com, Inc.